Savannah Series: Bonaventure Cemetery – Good Fortune Comes to Those Who Die

in savannah •  7 years ago  (edited)

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he Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah is such a special spot, and so photogenic. The Spanish moss hanging mournfully from every branch creates a romantic atmosphere in this cemetery, which holds many interesting figures from Savannah's history. One is little Gracie Watson, whose ghost still haunts Bonaventure. Read about her story in the article below, first published on our travel blog in 2010.


Known as one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the entire country, Bonaventure is found on the outskirts of Savannah, bordering the Wilmington River across from Whitemarsh Island. Its name means “Good Fortune,” and those buried on its grounds might certainly consider themselves fortunate. There are worse places to rest in eternal slumber.

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Bonaventure is a place of haunting beauty, where Spanish Moss hangs sorrowfully from every tree, casting broken light onto solemn fields of gravestones. The cemetery is large, and one which you could spend hours exploring, discovering tombstones of exquisite craftsmanship, and other most notable for their peculiarity. There’s one in the form of a broken tree trunk. A grinning marathon runner. Obelisks and gates. Downcast girls holding flowers. Underground crypts. And of course, there’s little Gracie Watson.

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Of all Bonaventure’s ghosts, the most famous is that of Gracie Watson. In life, the vivacious daughter of the manager of the Pulaski House had been beloved by neighbors and well-known to the hotel’s guests. But pneumonia wasn’t impressed by Little Gracie’s charms. Pneumonia snuffed her out at the age of six. Her grief-stricken father commissioned a statue to mark her grave, and ever since, there have been rumors of the soft sobbing of a little girl in Bonaventure. The statue supposedly sheds tears, and screams out at night if a flower has been removed.

Besides Gracie, a number of famous people rest their bones in Bonaventure, including Johnny Mercer, Conrad Aiken and Henry R. Jackson. One statue you won’t find there, though, is the Bird Girl statue, which graced the cover of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil: it’s been moved to the Telfair Museum of Art, for safekeeping.

Location on our Savannah Travel Map

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More Photos Of The Bonaventure Cemetery In Savannah

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Didn't expect this place to be in US and so far north at that. And yeah, very atmospheric shots, mate!

Bonaventure cementery looks like a very nice place, it looks luxurious but your gif at the middle of the post is creepy hahaha, it scared me, nice photos, your blog looks super cool like ever.

Ohh .. I didn't mean to scare you but I'm happy you noticed it. Hehe. Thank you for your wonderful comment.

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I love spending time in cemetaries. I spend every sunday morning in a cemetary near my apartment which is always filled with people (no one has been buried there in about a hundred years) and it is almost a public park in a way.

I also love the images. I think the nature of Georgia and the surrounding states perfectly suits a cemetary look but thats probably more influenced by TV than anything!

Savannah really feel like a cemetery all over the city but it's probably because Savannah has been built upon cemeteries partly. Funny I grew up too across from a cemetery (a real active one) and me and my friends would always go play there.

I love Bonaventure! Great post and great photos! Next time use #cemeteryphotos tag so the rest of us don't miss out! Tip!

I have to remember to use it - during our 8 years of traveling we've written about all kinds of different cemeteries from around the world. I should make a collective post of them. Thank you for your comment.

That would be great if you could gather them all up! I'd love to see them!

That would be great if
You could gather them all up!
I'd love to see them!

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I love old cemeteries, old Savannah and the Old South! Great post!

We loved our time in Savannah - we even went back not too long ago to update our Blog. What a unique city. Thank you for stopping by.

You are welcome! The history there is fascinating!

Bonaventure Cemetery is surely a special place! Savannah region is one of my favorites in the US, so full of southern charm, but I haven't been to this cemetery. Thank you for sharing the history behind it. I learnt a lot! :)

We have to thank you - Savannah is so unique and different compared to the rest of the USA, New Orleans and Charleston or different on their own. But for some reason Savannah will always have a special spot in our hearts.

Hiya, just swinging by to let you know that this post made the Honorable mentions list in the Travel Digest #229. Please drop by to check out all the rest of today's great posts and consider upvoting the Travel Digest if you like what we're doing.

I love visiting cemeteries. They are different all around the world. I really enjoyed your photos of the details.

During our travels, when we hear about an interesting cemetery we have to go! We should do a top 10 cemetery post from around the world.

Yeah good idea. Every country is different. I go to every cemetery I come across and also seek them out when in a new place. Every city/country I get to a football game and a cemetery ha.

Reminds me about time I posted an old cemetery visit post here today.

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My husband and I seek out cemeteries in every new city and country we visit. Bonaventure was definitely one of the most memorable - so much, we actually have a Bonaventure Christmas ornament for our tree! There's something about seeing that Spanish moss draped over everything on a balmy, southern summer day. Beautiful pictures!

It sounds scary enough but it is very interesting cementary. I am not sure if I will go alone there during the night :) :)